Blogger Bella Bundle Blog Hop (say that 5 times fast)

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Here I am! No, I didn’t fall off into oblivion, although I feel like it sometimes. I’m still here and still kicking and thinking and dreaming about fabric and quilting and all the beautiful things I can make. I wanted to breathe some new life into my Etsy Shop, Ciao Bella Solids by offering to let a few friends pick out their very own Bella Bundles!  I was so incredibly thrilled when my friends Danielle, Erin and Jen agreed to help me out and even create something and write a blog post about it in a very short turn around! So here is a little bit about these lovely bloggers who will be sharing their projects with you this month (plus me). Oh and make sure that you visit their blogs because each one will be giving away a fat quarter bundle of their fabric!!

Danielle of Nacho Mama's Quilt

First is Danielle of Nacho Mama’s Quilt. Danielle and I have been buds for a few years, ever since we both joined the San Antonio Modern Quilt Guild and ended on the guild board together. We always seem to have similar thoughts about quilting and the stuff going on in the Modern Quilting world. She’s a very talented Long Arm quilter and I’m so fortunate to have her as a friend. She chose an awesome bundle of neutrals and greens, but you don’t have to take my word for it. Hop over there to Danielle’s blog and take a look! Also you can stop by her Facebook page to say hi.

Erin of Schlosser Designs

Next up is a sweet and creative young woman named Erin Schlosser. She joined the San Antonio Modern Quilt Guild about a month after I moved to Houston but by the miracle that is the Internet I’ve been able to keep up with her and we’ve become friends. (We totally rocked out at the Quiltcon 80′s party!) I was so excited when I saw Erin’s selection for her bundle because it’s bright and fun and…that’s all I’m going to tell you about it, you’ll have to check her blog on April 22 for her post! (Don’t worry, I’m going to post about mine on April 15 to bridge you over to the next week!) And take a minute to go check out Erin’s Facebook page as well!

Jen of ReannaLily Designs

We’ll wrap up the month with a post by Jen Eskridge of ReannaLily Designs. Jen is a super sweet and talented pattern design and author! I met her at quilt market a couple of years ago when she still lived in New Orleans and later was so thrilled to find out she was moving to San Antonio!! She also joined the SAMQG after I moved to Houston, but being the sweetie that she is, she agreed to create a bundle for my blog hop! I am so excited about her bundle too because, well, because I just love to see all the combinations of just solid fabrics that can be made from my inventory! And I love to see what everyone can create with them. Jen has a Facebook page if you want to follow her over there. Check for Jen’s post on April 29th.

Blogger bundles will be available in my shop and orders will be filled as soon as possible. I am going on a quilt retreat this weekend, so orders during that time will be filled the next week. Remember, each blogger will be giving away a bundle of their fabric on the week of their post so be sure to check each week for a chance to win! Here is the schedule one more time:

April 9 Nacho Mama’s Quilt

April 15 Urban Stitches (me)

April 22 Schlosser Designs

April 29 ReannaLily Designs

Happy Stitches and Happy Hopping!

Anna

Super Special Deals

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I hope to be back with a life update soon, but in the mean time, here are some great deals I’ve heard about around the Interwebs. Some of them ARE affiliate links but know that I wouldn’t promote them here if they weren’t something I would or have used in the past.

Online Quilting Class
I hope you can go by and get some great deals!
Happy Stitches (and shopping),
Anna

While Supplies Last: Summersault Pinwheels in Blush

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The JOY Charm Pack sale was such a success that I’m excited to offer this beautiful fabric to you at an amazing price!

Special offer while supplies last:

Summersault Blush Pinwheels

100% cotton by Free Spirit

$5/yard

I will combine shipping if you want more than 2 yards. Just send me an Etsy convo and let me know so I can make a custom listing for you!

Thanks so much for helping me send my beautiful fabrics to a new home!

Happy Stitches,

Anna

While Supplies Last: Joy Charm Packs

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ALL SOLD OUT!

Thanks so much for shopping with me!

Time to post another crazy sale!

Available while supplies last:

Joy (by Kate Spain) Charm Packs

(42) 5″ precut squares

100% cotton manufactured by Moda

$5 each

BUY NOW

What can you do with a charm pack?

How about make some Charmalade (You’ll need three for this pattern).

Check back soon for more amazing deals while supplies last!

Happy Stitches,

Anna

Craft Book Month – My turn!

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Yippee! It’s finally my turn to post for Craft Book Month! Sorry I’m posting sort of late today. If you read my previous post you know that things are rather busy right now. The book I’d like to feature is a really fun and off the wall sort of book for quilters, or those who might want to try making a quilt. This book is written to help experienced quilters think “outside the blocks” and I think for new quilters to just jump in and start making something! The best part is, whatever you make will NEVER look exactly like the pictures in the book. Yeah, I know, scary right? Well, here’s the book, it’s called Rule Breaking Quilts by Kathryn Schmidt (not an affiliate link).

Click the picture to purchase the book (this is NOT an affiliate link)

And even though she presents sort of free form style that you could even call Improvisational, she is NOT as far as I can tell in any way related to Denyse Schmidt, the sort of founder of the modern quilting movement! This woman just goes her own way and does her own thing. I think one of the cutest things about this book is the style that it’s written. A popular joke in the quilting world is that the “Quilt Police” aren’t going to come and get you or check your work (or in some groups, they might!) but with a funny writing style, Ms. Schmidt make fun of the idea of the quilt police and even names each project with a clever reference to some sort of rule breaker, such as the first project which she calls Moving Violations. Each project walks you through the entire process of creating separate units that you can then meld together into a quilt top. You only need 6 fat quarters (18″x22″ pieces of fabric) to start. So this:

started out and then turned into my version of what Kathryn Schmidt calls Moving Violations:

Here’s a little confession, I actually made this several months ago, hmm kinda more like in April of 2011. BUT since I’ve been busy I haven’t had a lot of time to actually make anything from a book and I am happy to spotlight this fun book. OH and I am working on a second project from this book. Each project is so fun and easy that it’s addicting (as quilting often is)! The main thing I figured out about the projects is this, the book says you only need 6 fat quarters (a cut of fabric 18″x22″) and the inclination might be to just grab a cute bundle of coordinating prints, BUT if you choose fun and funky fabrics like I did, I chose 6 fabrics from Anna Maria Horner’s Innocent Crush line, your project is going to end up being SUPER busy and your poor eyes won’t have anywhere to rest! SO, my recommendation is to replace a couple of those prints with solids. As you go through each project, you’ll learn to be a little more confident with putting colors and groups together as well as easing you into more difficult skills such as –gulp– sewing CURVED pieces! That’s where I’m heading next. Here’s a not very great picture of the second project from the book, which is called Disturbing the Piece:

Sorry for the grainy image, I used my camera phone to snap the picture. As you can see it still needs some work because I’m trying to decide on the placement of the block units, but it has been a blast to work on. So if you think you might want to try making an off the wall quilt, check out Rule Breaking Quilts by Kathryn Schmidt. They might even have it at your local library (that’s where I get all my quilt books now and if I totally fall in love with it then I purchase it.)

Oh, and don’t forget to check out all the other awesome bloggers on this amazing Craft Book Month blog hop!

Happy Stitches,

Anna

 

Week One

Sunday 9/2: Hopeful Threads / The Jolly Jabber

Monday 9/3: Stitchery Dickory Dock / Me Sew Crazy

Tuesday 9/4: Olive & Ollie / Sew Sweetness

Wednesday 9/5: Fabric Seeds / The Busy Bean

Thursday 9/6: CraftFoxes / Stitched In Color

Friday 9/7: Katie’s Korner / A Prairie Sunrise


Week Two

Sunday 9/9: Sweet Diesel Designs / missknitta’s studio

Monday 9/10: Sew Tara / Clover and Violet

Tuesday 9/11: Sew Fantastic / amylouwho

Wednesday 9/12: Projektownia Jednoiglec / Two More Seconds

Thursday 9/13: Ellison Lane Quilts / Don’t Call Me Betsy

Friday 9/14: Live a Colorful Life / LRstitched


Week Three

Sunday 9/16: Fairy Face Designs / Canoe Ridge Creations

Monday 9/17: Inspire Me Grey / Freshly Pieced

Tuesday 9/18: Lindsay Sews / The Cute Life

Wednesday 9/19: The Littlest Thistle / Sew Crafty Jess

Thursday 9/20: Urban Stitches / imagine gnats

Friday 9/21: Sew Bittersweet Designs / The Plaid Scottie

 


Week Four

Link up your craft book project at Craft Buds from Sept 23-30 from your blog or Flickr account, and enter to win prizes. Winners will be announced on Monday, October, 1!

I’m Back

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houston

My new home - Houston, TX

Gee where has the time gone? I know I’ve neglected this poor little blog and I’m sorry, both to you, my readers (hi everyone stopping by from Craft Book Month) and to myself. Let’s see what has happened since my last post, on June 15:

- Mid June: My husband was laid off from his job and my contract work ended

- We decided to pursue jobs in Houston (150 miles away from my home in San Antonio)

- Hubby got a job (in Houston) at the end of July (let the mad dash to pack up our apartment, find a new place to live, and rent a truck and move begin!)

- Beginning of August we moved to Houston, TX!!

- I started interviewing for “real” jobs and got a REAL job that started the beginning of September! (This is the BIGGIE for me, I haven’t had a work- outside-the-home job since March 2011)

- Within one week we found a daycare for my precious baby boy (who is turning 6 months old TOMORROW) and now he’s been sort of sick due to all the lovely germs he’s been exposed to at daycare, so we’ve been dealing with that.

- I’ve learned to enjoy riding the bus to work every day (who wants to deal with traffic and pay to park downtown?! NOT ME.)

So, it’s been a rough few months and my sewing/quilting life has almost been put on hold (I say almost because I don’t think I could survive if I went more than a week without some exposure to a sewing machine). BUT, I’ve agreed to participate in Craft Book Month and my post is scheduled for Thursday so I’d better get myself in gear and plan something for that post (I actually already have an idea in my head for it.)

I’ve also made some and received some blocks from a 4×5 Modern Bee that I’m participating in with the San Antonio Modern Quilt Guild. Making those blocks each month has been my little quilting heaven because they have a deadline there isn’t any excuse for NOT making them, right?

That’s my life news.

Now for some website news:

I had a website with many beautiful fabrics listed for sale, but unfortunately that site is DOWN. I have no idea why, let’s just call it technical difficulties. This makes me sort of sad, but also happened at an interesting time since all of my inventory is stacked in boxes at the moment and very difficult to get to (hopefully that will change soon). BUT I still have all of my BEAUTIFUL Moda Bella Solids on my Etsy shop which I’ve called Ciao Bella Solids. Thanks to those who have very sweetly contacted me asking about the site, that lets me know that some people are interested in my fabric!

I know that people always do this, but I’m going to throw a teaser your way. I’ve got a new idea about how to sell my fabric and I kinda think you’re going to like it, and I’m planning to post about it some time this week! If you want to make sure you hear about my news, please sign up for my newsletter (use the box on the right) and like my Facebook page.

Well, that’s the update for now! Thanks for stopping by and I will be back soon with more exciting fabric details PLUS that post for Craft Book Month!

Happy Stitches,

Anna

Craft Book Month at Craft Buds

Wonky Churn Dash {Tutorial} The Sequel

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I’m re-posting this tutorial with a change in the measurements as part of the Desperate Housewife Quilt Block tutorial link up!

Since September of 2011, I’ve been the Block of the Month coordinator for the SAMQG. Each month I’ve researched a specific block pattern and made a sample to present at the meeting. This month I specifically wanted to make my favorite block, the Churn Dash, but I wanted it to have some Anna personality, which means WONKY. Long story short, I couldn’t find a tutorial out in blogworld so I decided to create one myself. I didn’t follow  a tutorial to create the block, I actually looked at one already made and used what I knew about assembling the churn dash and making things wonky! So, here it is, the Wonky Churn Dash Block tutorial.

The unfinished/final block size for this link up is 8.5″ but you can use any size for the background squares which will of course change the size of your block.

NOTE: It’s actually really difficult to just cut your squares at a certain size and end up with an 8.5″ block (mostly because there are nine squares and 8.5 doesn’t divide evenly by 3) SO, you will actually make the block larger and trim it down to 8.5″ when you are finished piecing the block.

Use 1/4″ seam allowance

Materials needed for each block:

1/8 yard white (or other solid) for background (a white charm pack would work great for this too), if you want the block to be bigger you’ll need more than 1/8 yard background fabric

A variety of scraps roughly the size of your background squares (mine are 3.5″)

Cutting:

Cut the background fabric into (9) 3.5″ squares

Assembly:

I chose to mark my white squares with a quilting pencil (don’t iron over it) so that I knew which side the patterned fabric would face. It is especially helpful if you need guidance for wonky placement. I only did this for the first block, on my second one it didn’t seem necessary. Here’s a diagram to show you how I marked the lines.

The patterned fabric will roughly line up with the line you drew. You should see your mark “1P” on the bottom right side of the square.

Now flip your square over again, fold the patterned piece back.

Repeat these steps for all your pieces. 

Press your seams and pat yourself on the back for making a wonky churn dash block! (Now repeat this about 11 more times and you’ll have a good number of blocks for a quilt!)

See? That wasn’t so bad was it? If you make a wonky churn dash block or quilt, I’ve love to see it! Please feel free to share it on my Facebook page.

Happy Stitches,

Anna

P.S. If you have ANY questions, please feel free to ask them in the comments, and I’ll reply so that everyone can benefit from the answer.

FREE Block of the Month

SMS Giveaway Day Winners

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Congrats to Debbie and Meghann! You have won the Sew Mama Sew Giveaway Day prizes from me, a Sherbet Pips charm pack! I’ve contacted you through e-mail to get your shipping information. I hope you enjoy and send me pictures of whatever you make with them.

Thanks to ALL of you who visited my blog and commented and joined my mailing list. It’s been so fun to read about how everyone started sewing and quilting.

Happy Stitches,

Anna

Zig Zag Lightning Pillow

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The result of the Pinterest Challenge, here is my finished lightning zig zag pillow! I am so pleased with how it turned out, especially the part you can’t see in the picture, the envelope enclosure. I think the quilting is pretty awesome too, but I’m a little biased since I did it myself. I used a walking foot and just started in the middle and echo quilted the square. This will coordinate beautifully with a quilt I’m making for my hubby for his first Father’s Day. Yeah for manly fabrics!

I’m linking this up to Link a Finish Friday, go check out the lovely projects and share your own!

Happy Stitches,

Anna

P.S. Don’t forget about the giveaway! There is still time to enter, read the details here.

Pinterest Challenge

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A long time blog friend and fabulous pattern designer, Michelle Webster (formerly Keyka Lou, now Michelle Patterns) is hosting an awesome challenge to create something inspired by Pinterest! I was soo incredibly excited when she contacted me and asked if I was interested in participating. Well, considering how much time I’ve spent on Pinterest lately, I jumped at the chance to challenge myself to MAKE something I’ve stored away on my Pinterest boards, and I immediately knew which project I wanted to make. A sweet girl named Jenn of Jenn of All Trades blog wrote a tutorial for making a Lightning Zig Zag mini/doll quilt.

Jenn of All Trades Lightning Zig Zag Quilt

It was bright, funky, wonky and crazy and it just spoke to me! So I decided to make one out of the scraps from a quilt I’m making for my hubby for his first Father’s Day (more on that later). I figured this way I could practice my quilting and make a pillow to match the quilt, sort of killing two birds with one stone. Well, I sat down on Monday to work on the quilt, in between taking care of my little munchkin who just turned two months old last week, and it really did go super fast. Here is my quilt top/pillow top:

Sorry the picture is slightly blurry, that’s my camera phone at work. The tutorial didn’t specify how many squares to cut or what the finished size would be so I just cut squares and made wonky pieces until I had what I thought would be a good size for a pillow. In fact, I think I made about 25 little blocks and the piece ended up about 15″ square which is perfect for my 14″x14″ pillow form! I totally love how this turned out. I just finished quilting it tonight and I’ll post a follow up picture when I get the pillow finished (hopefully some time on Wednesday after my sewing day with my sewing sisters Danielle and Sara). Oh and the fabric I used is Parson Grey from David Butler’s debut line, it’s sooo pretty and soo manly at the same time! The background fabric is a Moda Bella Solid called Willow and I was so incredibly thrilled to find an Aurifil thread that matched the color exactly. This is perfect since the back of my quilt is mostly solid in Willow. I’m planning to use the an envelope back pillow tutorial (which I’ve also pinned) to finish the pillow. It looks like it will be pretty easy in fact.

I hope you enjoyed seeing something I made that was inspired by Pinterest! It feels good to have made something I pinned! Oh and if you don’t know about Pinterest, it’s amazing! It’s the best way to waste kill time since Angry Birds!

If you make something you pinned on Pinterest, you can join in the challenge too and be entered to win some fabric! Go to Michelle’s blog to read all the details.

Happy Stitches,

Anna